Thursday afternoon Kentucky football recruiting news and notes

The college basketball transfer portal is taking over the offseason right now, but the football side of things isn’t lacking in headlines, either.

Which is why we’re going to touch on some Kentucky recruiting news and notes that football fans need to know. We’ll focus mostly on high school recruits, but there is one significant note on a high-level transfer. Let’s dive right in, but first, a quick word from our sponsor.

Thank you to today’s sponsor, our friend Andy Luedecke at MyPerfectFranchise. Andy is a huge college sports fan and franchise veteran, having owned multiple franchises and businesses. Using his expertise, he helps others find their American Dream through a very thorough consultation and evaluation process.

If you are wanting to find a way out of corporate America, wanting a side-hustle business, or a way to diversify…..reach out to Andy, as he’s got a ton of knowledge in this world and best of all, his services are 100% free to you – always! After you finish this post, you can learn more or reach Andy at [email protected].

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Kentucky makes Top 10 for RJ Jones

Robert “RJ” Jones has been on Kentucky’s radar for well over a year now. The 6-foot-1 cornerback out of Tampa (FL) Vero Beach is considered a three-star from the 2025 recruiting class, checking in at No. 674 overall according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Early Tuesday morning, Jones dropped a Top 10 list that included Kentucky, along with Auburn, Miami (FL), Louisville, Illinois, South Florida, NC State, Central Florida, Missouri, and Florida. Illinois will receive an official visit starting June 21.

Kentucky initially offered Jones in January 2023. He plans to take several visits this spring/summer.

Commitment dates set for pair of 4-star defenders

Dante McClellan and Austin Alexander are both considered top 400 four-star prospects on the defensive side of the ball out of the 2025 class. And both have upcoming commitment dates locked in with Kentucky among their group of finalists.

We’ll start with Alexander, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound EDGE who suits up for Cooper High School in Union, KY. The nephew of NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander, Austin is considering the likes of Kentucky, Wisconsin, Stanford, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and North Carolina. He intends to announce his decision this Friday afternoon, April 19, at his high school.

Kentucky offered Alexander in May 2023 and was able to get him on campus multiple times, however, the buzz around his recruitment points toward North Carolina as the expected choice. Kentucky and Notre Dame were once viewed as the frontrunners, but the Tar Heels appear to be the team to beat down the stretch.

As for McClellan, his announcement is set for Monday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. EST. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker is down to five options: Michigan State, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisville. That being said, he has just two official visits currently locked in with Missouri (June 21) and Michigan State (May 31). Mizzou actually got into the mix late, but the Tigers appear to have the momentum heading into next week.

Despite a strong relationship with Vince Marrow and his high school head coach being former Wildcat Antonio Hall, McClellan appears to be headed elsewhere. On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons have both logged picks this week in favor of McClellan landing at Missouri.

Peny Boone back on the market

Back in December, Toledo transfer running back Peny Boone was focusing on three schools: Kentucky, Louisville, and Florida State. After being named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, he was viewed as a top target in the portal. He ultimately landed at Louisville, but that marriage didn’t last long.

Boone re-entered the portal on Monday (later posting some of his thoughts on UL online) and has already heard from nearly two dozen schools. Among the bunch is the Kentucky Wildcats, along with the likes of LSU, Tennessee, Miami (FL), Washington, Colorado, North Carolina, and plenty more big-name schools.

Boone is considered the third-best available transfer on the market, per On3. Depending on what happens with Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez (top available transfer; visiting UK next week), Boone could re-emerge as a serious target for the Wildcats.

Updated look at Kentucky’s June official visitors

**All player rankings are courtesy of the On3 Industry Ranking**

June 7-9

Javeon Campbell (DL) 6-5, 260 | Western Hills (Frankfort, KY)
4-star: No. 233 overall, No. 18 DL

Cortez Thomas (S) 6-0, 170 | Holmes County Central (Lexington, MS)
4-star: No. 280 overall, No. 26 S

Darrin Strey (OT) 6-6, 295 | Paw Paw (Paw Paw, MI)
4-star: No. 368 overall, No. 29 OT

N’Kye Wynn (OT) 6-5, 265 | Muskegon (Muskegon, MI)
4-star: No. 386 overall, No. 31 OT

Isaac Sowells Jr. (IOL) 6-2, 290 | Louisville Male (Louisville, KY)
3-star: No. 543 overall, No. 43 IOL

Isaiah West (RB) 5-11, 210 | St. Joseph’s (Philadelphia, PA)
3-star: No. 565 overall, No. 46 RB

Tucker Kattus (IOL) 6-5, 300 | St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH)
3-star: No. 950 overall, No. 92 IOL

June 14-16

Marquise Davis (RB) 5-11, 200 | Cleveland Heights (Cleveland, OH)
4-star: No. 183 overall, No. 11 RB

Cameron Miller (ATH) 5-10, 155 | Winslow Township (Atco, NJ)
4-star: No. 382 overall, No. 18 ATH

Cam Clark (OT) 6-7, 280 | Dexter (Dexter, MI)
3-star: No. 758 overall, No. 50 OT

Bryan Auguste (OT) 6-6, 285 | Monarch (Coconut Creek, FL)
3-star: No. 1,028 overall, No. 80 OT

Brody Lennon (EDGE) 6-4, 220 | Gilmour Academy (Cleveland, OH)
Unranked

June 21-23

Cedric Works (EDGE) 6-5, 230 | Northmont (Dayton, OH)
4-star: No. 143 overall, No. 19 EDGE

Dalen Penson (CB) 5-11, 165 | Sandy Creek (Tyrone, GA)
4-star: No. 163 overall, No. 19 CB

Christian Gass (LB) 6-4, 205 | Eastside (Covington, GA)
4-star: No. 268 overall, No. 30 LB

Andrew Stargel (IOL) 6-4, 285 | Roswell (Roswell, GA)
3-star: No. 819 overall, No. 71 IOL

Dyllon Williams (S) 6-2, 180 | Demopolis (Demopolis, AL)
Unranked

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